HUD Announces More Funding to Fight Fair Housing Act Complaints

May 15, 2020

The month of April is Fair Housing Month in America. At press time, that month has just ended but there are still efforts designed to increase the American consumer’s awareness of Fair Housing laws. 

Two Federal Agencies Working Together

In recent days, HUD has issued a press release about one of those ongoing efforts, a joint-agency fight between HUD and the Department of Justicce to stop sexual harassment in the housing process.

The U.S. Attorney General and the HUD Secretary are reminding renters, borrowers, landlords, and real estate agents that sexual harassment at any stage of the housing process is illegal and a violation of federal Fair Housing Act law protecting consumers at every stage of the housing process from renting to buying.

“The Fair Housing Act embodies the spirit of this great Nation where everyone is entitled to equal opportunity and respect,” said the HUD Secretary, who was quoted in the press release. He adds, “No one should have to endure sexual harassment and degrading treatment, especially to keep a roof over their heads.”

Two Years and Counting

The joint HUD / Department of Justice sexual harassment initiative was originally launched two years ago and since complaints of sexual harassment have been monitored in that time? More than 500 sexual harassment complaints came to the agency.

Fair Housing Month 2020 may have ended, but the HUD office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity still offers training for the public on sexual harassment in housing in the weeks to come.  

HUD Training Is Available

According to the press release, such training “is intended to increase the public’s knowledge of sexual and other forms of harassment in housing, how to prevent it from occurring, and how to address it when it happens.”

You can attend this online training via the “Preventing Sexual and Other Discriminatory Harassment in Housing” webpage at the HUD official site.

Have you experienced housing discrimination, including sexual harassment? Contact the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 or visiting How to File a Complaint at the HUD official site. Complaints may also be filed via the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

HUD investigates violations, but it cannot investigate what is not reported directly to them. Contact HUD immediately if you suspect any violation of the Fair Housing Act.

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